43 
S4 

^ 1 



SEMIOFFICIAL SUMMARY 



OF THE 



TREATY OF PEACE 



BETWEEN 



THE TWENTY-SEVEN ALLIED AND 
ASSOCIATED POWERS 



AND 



GERMANY 



AS HANDED TO THE GERMAN PLENIPOTENTIARIES 
AT THEJ PEACE CONFERENCE ON MAY 7, 1919 



Cf^ZL 5^^ 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1919 



JUN 



Of J. 

l« 1919 






CONTENTS 



. Section 1 : Page. 

Introduction, title, preamble 1 

The league of nations 7 

Section 2 : Geographical frontiers of Germany 11 

Section 3. European political clauses 11 

Belgium , H 

Luxemburg 12 

Left bank of the Rhine 12 

Alsace-Lorraine , 12 

The Saar Basin 13 

German Austria 14 

Czechoslovakia 14 

Poland 15 

East Prussia and Memel . 15 

Danzig 16 

Denmark ( Schleswig) 16 

Heligoland 17 

Clauses relative to Russia and the Russian states 17 

Section 4 : Extra European clauses : 

German rights outside Europe 17 

Colonies and overseas possessions : Traffic in arms ; traffic in spirits ; 

Acts of Berlin and Brussells 17 

China Ig 

Siam , 18 

Liberia , 18 

Morocco 19 

Egypt 19 

Turkey and Bulgaria 19 

Shantung 20 

Section 5 : Military, naval, and air clauses : 

Military 20 

Naval 21 

Air 22 

Section 6 : Prisoners of war and soldiers' graves : 

Prisoners of war 23 

Graves 23 

Section 7: Responsibilities (including William II) 23 

Section 8 : Reparation and restitution 24 

Section 9 : Financial clauses , 28 

Section 10: Economic clauses 29 

Customs 29 

Shipping 29 

Unfair competition 29 

Treatment of nationals 30 

Multilateral conventions 30 

Bilateral treaties 30 

Prewar debts 30 

Enemy property 31 

3 



4 CONTENTS. 

Section 10 : Economic clauses — Continued. Page. 

Contracts 31 

Industrial rights, literary, patents, etc — _ 32 

Opium 32 

Religious missions 32 

Section 11: Aerial navigation 32 

Section 12: Ports, canals, and railways 33 

Freedom of transit 33 

Free zones in ports 33 

International rivers 33 

Danube 34 

Rhine and Moselle 34 

Railways 35 

Czechoslovakia 35 

The Kiel Canal 35 

Section 13 : International labor organization 35 

Labor clauses 36 

Section 14. Guarantees and occupation of territories 37 

Western Europe 37 

Eastern Europe 37 

Section 15 : Miscellaneous— 38 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 



SEMIOFFICAL SUMMARY OF THE PEACE TREATY AS CABLED 
FROM PARIS TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION AT 
NEW YORK AND SUBJECT TO MINOR CORRECTIONS. 



The treaty of peace between the 27 allied and associated powers 
on the one hand and Germany on the other was handed to the Ger- 
man plenipotentiaries at Versailles to-day. 

It is the longest treaty ever drawn. It totals about 80,000 words, 
divided into 15 main sections and represents the combined product 
of over a thousand experts working continuously through a series 
of commissions for the three and a half months since January 18. The 
treaty is printed in parallel pages of English and French, which are 
recognized as having equal validity. It does not deal with questions 
affecting Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey, except in so far as binding 
Germany to accept any agreement reached with those former allies. 

Following the preamble and deposition of powers comes the cove- 
nant of the league of nations as the first section of the treaty. The 
frontiers of Germany in Europe are defined in the second section, 
European political clauses given in the third, and extra-European 
political clauses in the fourth. Next are the military, naval, and air 
terms as the fifth section, followed by a section on prisoners of war 
and military graves, and a seventh on responsibilities. Separations, 
financial terms, and economic terms are covered in sections 8 to 10. 
Then comes the aeronautic section, ports, waterways, and railways 
section, the labor covenant, the section on guarantees, and the final 
clauses. 

Germany, by the terms of the treaty, restores Alsace-Lorraine to 
France, accepts the internationalization of the Saar Basin temporar- 
ily and of Danzig permanently, agrees to territorial changes toward 
Belgium and Denmark and in East Prussia, cedes most of Upper 
Silesia to Poland, and renounces all territorial and political rights 
outside Europe, as to her own or her allies' territories, and especially 
to Morocco, Egypt. Siam, Liberia, and Shantung. She also recog- 
nizes the total independence of German- Austria. Czechoslovakia, 
and Poland. 

Her army is reduced to 100,000 men, including officers; conscrip- 
tion within her territories is abolished; all forts 50 kilometers east 
of the Ehine razed ; and all importation, exportation, and nearly all 

5 



6 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

production of M^ar material stopped. Allied occupation of parts of 
Germany will continue till reparation is made, but will be reduced at 
the end of each of three five-year periods if Germany is fulfilling her 
obligations. Any violation by Germany of the conditions as to the 
zone 50 kilometers east of the Ehine will be regarded as an act of war. 

The German Navy is reduced to 6 battleships, 6 light cruisers, and 
12 torpedo-boats, without submarines, and a personnel of not over 
15,000. All other vessels must be surrendered or destroyed. Germany 
is forbidden to build forts controlling the Baltic, must demolish 
Heligoland, open the Kiel Canal to all nations, and surrender her 14 
submarine cables. She may have no military or naval air forces 
except 100 unarmed seaplanes until October 1 to detect mines, and 
may manufacture aviation material for six months. 

Germany accepts full responsibility for all damages caused by 
allied and associated Governments and nationals, agrees specifically 
to reimburse all civilian damages beginning with an initial payment 
of 20,000,000,000 marks, subsequent payjnents to be secured hj bonds 
to be issued at the discretion of the reparation commission. Germany 
is to pay shipping damages on a ton-for-ton basis by cession of a 
large part of her merchant, coasting, and river fleets and by new 
construction, and to devote her economic resources to the rebuilding 
of the devastated regions. 

She agrees to return to the 1914 most- favored-nation tariffs, with 
discrimination of no sort, to allow allied and associated nationals free- 
dom of transit through her territories, and to accept highly detailed 
provisions as to prewar debts, unfair competition, internationaliza- 
tion of roads and- rivers, and other economic and financial clauses. 
She also agrees to the trial of the ex-Kaiser by an international high 
court for a supreme offense against international morality and of 
other nationals for violation of the laws and customs of war, Holland 
to be asked to extradite the former and Germany being responsible 
for delivering the latter. 

The league of nations is accepted by the allied and associated 
powers as operative and b}^ Germany in principle but without mem- 
bership. Similarly, an international labor body is brought into being, 
Avith a permanent office and an annual convention. A great number 
of international bodies of different kinds and for different purposes 
are created, some under the league of nations, some to execute the 
peace treaty. Among the former is the commission to govern the 
Saar Basin till a plebiscite is held, 15 years hence, the high com- 
missioner of Danzig, which is created into a free city under the 
league, and various commissions for ])lebiscites in Malmedy, Schles- 
wig, and East Prussia. Among those to carry out the peace treaty 
are the reparations, military, naval, air, financial, and economic 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. / 

commissions; the international high court and military tribunals to 
fix responsibility ; and a series of bodies for the control of international 
rivers. 

Certain problems are left for solution bet\Yeen the allied and asso- 
ciated powers, notably details of the disposition of the (Terman fleet 
and cables, the former German colonies, and the values paid in repa- 
ration. Certain other problems, such as the laws of the air and the 
opium, arms, and liquor traffic, are either agreed to in detail or set for 
early international action. 

THE PREAMBLE. 

Names of parties of the one part, the United States, the British 
Empire, France, Italy, and Japan described as the principal allied 
and associated powers, and Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, China. Cuba, 
Ecuador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, The Hedjaz, Honduras, Liberia, 
Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Koumania, Serbia, 
Si am, Czechoslovakia, and Uruguay, who wi.th the five above are 
described as the allied and associated powers, and on the other part 
(Tcrmany. 

It states that, bearing in mind that on the request of the then 
Imperial German Government an armistice was granted on November 
11. 1918, by the principal allied and associated powers in order that 
a treaty of peace might be concluded with her, and whereas the allied 
and associated powers, being equally desirous that the war in which 
tlie}^ Avere successively^ involved, directly or indirectly, and which 
originated in the declaration of war by Austria-Hungary on July 
28, 1914, against Serbia, the declaration of war by Germany against 
Ivussia on August 1, 1914, and against France on August 3, 1914, and 
in the invasion of Belgium, should be replaced by a firm, jiist. and 
durable peace, the plenipotentiaries, having communicated their full 
povv^ers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows : 

From the coming into force of the present treaty the state of war 
will terminate. From the moment and subject to the pi-ovisions of 
this treaty, official relations with Germany and with each of the 
German States will be resumed by the allied and associated powers. 

SECTION ONE. 

LEAGUE or NATIONS. 

The covenant of the league of nations constitutes section 1 of the 
peace treaty, which places upon the league many specific duties in 
addition to its general duties. It may question Germany at any 
time for a violation of the neutralized zone east of the Khine as a 



8 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

tliieat against the world's peace. It will appoint three of the fiva 
members of the Saar Commission, oversee its regime, and carry out 
the i^lebiscite. It will appoint the high commissioner of Danzig, 
guarantee the independence of the free city, and arrange for treaties 
between Danzig and Germany and Poland. It will work out the 
mandator}^ system to be applied to the former German colonies and 
act as a final court in part of the plebiscites of the Belgian-German 
frontier and in disputes as to the Kiel Canal and decide certain of 
the economic and financial problems. An international conference on 
labor is to be held in October under its direction and another on the 
international control of ports, waterways, and railways is fore- 
shadowed. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

The members of the league will be the signatories of the covenant 
and other States invited to accede, who must lodge a declaration of 
accession without reservation within two months. A new State, 
dominion, or colony may be admitted, provided its admission is 
agreed to by two-thirds of the assembly. A State may withdraw upon 
giving tAvo years' notice if it has fulfilled all its international obli- 
gations. 

SECRETARIAT. 

A permanent secretariat will be established at the seat of the league, 
which will be at Geneva. 

ASSEMBLY. 

The assembly will consist of representatives of the members of the 
league, and will meet at stated intervals. Voting will be by States. 
Each member will have one vote and not more than three represent- 
atives. 

COUNCIL. 

The council will consist of representatives of the principal great 
allied poAvers, together with representatives of four members selected 
by the assembly from time to time; it may co-opt additional States, 
and will meet at least once a year. Members not represented will 
be invited to send a representative when questions affecting their in- 
terests are discussed. Voting will be by States. Each State will 
have one vote and not more than one representative. Decision taken 
by the assembly and council must be unanimous, except in regard to 
procedure and in certain cases specified in the covenant and in the 
treaty, where decisions will be by a majority. 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 9 

ARMAMENTS. 

The council will formulate plans for a reduction of armaments for 
consideration and adoption. These plans will be revised every 10 
years. Once they are adopted no member must exceed the armaments 
fixed Avithout the concurrence of the council. All members will 
exchange full information as to armaments and programs, and a 
permanent commission will advise the council on military and naval 
questions. 

PREVENTING OF WAR. 

Upon an}^ war or threat of war the council will meet to consider 
what common action shall be taken. Members are pledged to submit 
matters of dispute to arbitration or inquiry and not to resort to war 
until three months after the award. Members agree to carry out an 
arbitral award and not to go to war with any party to the dispute 
which complies with it ; if a member fails to carry out the award, the 
council will propose the necessary measures. The council will formu- 
late plans for the establishment of a permanent court of international 
justice to determine international disputes or to give advisory opin- 
ions. Members who do not submit their case to arbitration must 
accept the jurisdiction of the assembly. If the council less the parties 
to the dispute is unanimously agreed upon the rights of it, the mem- 
bers agree that they will not go to war with any party to the dispute 
which complies with its recommendations. In this case a recommen- 
dation by the assembly concurred in by all its members represented 
on the council and a simple majority of the rest, less the parties to 
the dispute, will have the force of a unanimous recommendation by 
the council. In either case, if the necessary agreement can not be 
secured the members reserve the right to take such action as may be 
necessary for the maintenance of right and justice. Members re- 
sorting to war in disregard v of the covenant will immediately be 
debarred from all intercourse with other members. The council will 
in such cases consider what military or naval action can be taken by 
the league collectively for the protection of the covenants, and will 
afford facilities to members cooperating in this enterprise. 

VALIDITT or TREATIES. 

All treaties or international engagements concluded after the insti- 
tution of the league will be registered with the secretariat and 
published. The assembly mav from time to time advise members 
to reconsider treaties which have become inapplicable or involve 
danger of peace. The covenant abrogates all obligations between 
members inconsistent with its terms, but nothing in it shall affect. 

117932—19 2 



10 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

the validity of international engagements such as treaties of arbi- 
tration of regional understandings like the Monroe doctrine for 
securing the maintenance of peace. 

THE MANDATORY SYSTEM. 

The tutelage of nations not yet able to stand by themselves will 
be intrusted to advanced nations who are best fitted to undertake it. 
The covenant recognizes three different stages of development requir- 
ing different kind of mandatories: (A) Communities like those be- 
longing to the Turkish Empire which can be provisionally recog- 
nized as independent, subject to advice and assistance from a man- 
dator}^ in Avhose selection they would be allowed a vote. (B) Com- 
munities like those of Central Africa to be administered by the 
mandatory under conditions generally approved by the members of 
the league where equal opportunities for trade will be allowed to all 
members, certain abuses, such as trade in slaves, arms, and liquor will 
be prohibited and the construction of military and naval bases and 
the introduction of compulsory military training will be disallowed. 
(C) Other communities, such as Southwest Africa and the South 
Pacific Islands, but administered under the laws of the mandatory as 
integral portions of its territory. In every case the mandatory will 
render an annual report and the degree of its authoritj^ will be 
defined. 

GENERAL INTERNATIONAL PROVISIONS. 

Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of international 
convention existing, or hereafter to be agreed upon, the members of 
the league will, in general endeavor, through the international or- 
'ganization established by the labor convention, to secure and main- 
tain fair conditions of labor for men, women, and children in their 
own countries and other countries and undertake to secure just treat- 
ment of the native inhabitants of territories under their control : they 
will intrust the league with the general supervision over the execution 
of agreements for the suppression of traffic in women and children, 
etc., and the control of the trade in arms and ammunition with 
countries in which control is necessary ; they will make provision for 
freedom of communications and transit and equitable treatment for 
commerce of all members of the league, with special reference to the 
necessities of regions devastated during the war; and they will en- 
deavor to take steps for international prevention and control of dis- 
ease. International bureaus and commissrions already established will 
be placed under the league, as well as those to be established in the 
future. 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 11 

AMENDMENTS TO THE COVENANT. 

Amendments to the covenant will take effect when ratified by the 
council and by a majority of the assembly. 

SECTION TWO. 

Geographical Frontiers or Germany. 

BOUNDARIES OF GERMANY. 

Germany cedes to France Alsace-Lorraine, 5,600 square miles in 
the southwest, and to Belgium two small districts between Luxem- 
burg and Holland totaling 382 square miles. She also cedes to Poland 
the southeastern tip of Silesia, beyond and including Oppeln, most 
of Posen, and West Prussia, 27,686 square miles. East Prussia being 
isolated from the main body by a part of Poland. She loses sov- 
ereignty over the northeasternmost tip of East Prussia, 40 square 
miles north of the river Memel, and the internationalized areas about 
Danzig, 729 square miles, and the basin of the Saar, 738 square miles 
between the western border of the Rhenish Palatinate of Bavaria and 
the southeast corner of Luxemburg. The Danzig area consists of the 
V between the Nogat and Vistula Rivers, made a W by the addition 
of a similar V on the west, including the city of Danzig. The south- 
eastern third of East Prussia and the area between East Prussia and 
the Vistula north of latitude 53° 3' is to have its nationality deter- 
mined by popular vote, 5,785 square miles, as is to be the case in part 
of Sclileswig, 2,787 square miles. 

SECTION THREE. 
European Political Clauses. 

BELGIUM. 

Germany is to consent to the abrogation of the treaties of 1839 
by which Belgium was established as a neutral State and to agree 
in advance to any convention Avith which the allied and associated 
powers may determine to replace them. She is to recognize the full 
sovereignty of Belgium over the contested territory of Moresnet and 
over part of Prussian Moresnet and to renounce in favor of Bel- 
gium all rights over the circles of Eupen and Malmedy, the inhabi- 
tants of which are to be entitled within six months to protest against 
this change of sovereignty either in whole or part, the final decision 



12 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

to be reserved to the league of nations. A commission is to settle 
the details of the frontier and various regulations for change of 
nationality are laid down. 

LUXEMBURG. 

Germany renounces her various treaties and conventions with the 
Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, recognizes that it ceased to be a part 
of the German ZoUvereign from January 1 last, renounces all right 
of exploitation of the railroads, adheres to the abrogation of its 
neutrality, and accepts in advance any international agreement as 
to it reached by the allied and associated powers. 

LEFT BANK OF RHINE. 

As provided in the military clauses, Germany will not maintain 
any fortifications or armed forces less than 50 kilometers to the east 
of the Ehine, hold any maneuvers, nor maintain any works to 
facilitate mobilization. In case of violation, " she shall be regarded 
as committing a hostile act against the powers who sign the present 
treaty, and as intending to disturb the peace of the world." " By 
virtue of the present treaty, Germany shall be bound to respond to 
any request for an explanation which the council of the league of 
nations may think it necessary to address to her." 

ALSACE-LORRAINE. 

After recognition of the moral obligation to repair the wrong done 
in 1871 by Germany to France and the people of Alsace-Lorraine, 
the territories ceded to Germany by the treaty of Frankfort are 
restored to France with their frontiers as before 1871, to date from 
the signing of the armistice, and to be free of all public debts. 

Citizenship is regulated by detailed provisions distinguishing those 
who are immediately restored to full French citizenship, those who 
have to make a formal application therefor, and those for whom 
naturalization is open after three years. The last-named clause in- 
cludes German residents in Alsace-Lorraine, as distinguished from 
those who acquired the position of Alsace-Lorraineers, as defined in 
the treaty. All public property and all private property of German 
ex-sovereigns passes to France without payment or credit. France 
is substituted for Germany as regards ownership of the railroads and 
rights over concessions of tramways. The Ehine bridges pass to 
France, with the obligation for their upkeep. 

For five years manufactured products of Alsace-Lorraine will be 
admitted to Germany free of duty to a total amount not exceeding in 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 13 

any year the average of the three years preceding the war, and 
textile materials may be imported from Germany to Alsace-Lorraine 
and reexported free of duty. Contracts for electric power from the 
right bank must be continued for 10 years. 

For 7 years, with possible extension to 10, the ports of Kehae 
and Strasburg shall be administered as a single unit by a French 
demonstrator appointed and supervised by the Central Rhine Com- 
mission. Property rights will be safeguarded in both ports and 
equality of treatment as respects traffic assured the nationals, vessels, 
and goods of every country. 

Contracts between Alsace-Lorraineers and Germans are main- 
tained, save for France's right to annul on grounds of public interest. 
Judgments of courts hold in certain classes of cases, while in others 
a judicial exequatur is first required. Political condemnations dur- 
ing the war are null and void and the obligation to repay war fines 
is established as in other parts of allied territory. 

Various clauses adjust the general provisions of the treaty to the 
special conditions of Alsace-Lorraine, certain matters of execution 
being left to conventions to be made between France and Germany. 

THE SAAR. 

In compensation for the destruction of coal mines in northern 
France and as payment on account of reparation, Germany cedes to 
France full ownership of the coal mines of the Saar Basin, with 
their subsidiaries, accessories, and facilities. Their value will be 
estimated by the reparation commission and credited against that 
account. The French rights will be governed by German law in 
force at the armistice, excepting war legislation, France replacing 
the present owners, whom Germany undertakes to indemnify. 
France will continue to furnish the present proportion of coal for 
local needs and contribute in just proportion to local taxes. The 
basin extends from the frontier of Lorraine as reannexed to France 
north as far as Stwendel, including on the west the valley of the 
Saar as far as Saarholzbach and on the east the town of Homburg. 

In order to secure the rights and welfare of the population and 
guarantee to France entire freedom in working the mines, the 
territory will be governed by a commission appointed by the League 
of Nations and consisting of five members — one French, one a native 
inhabitant of the Saar, and three representing three different coun- 
tries other than France and Germany. The league will appoint a 
member of the commission as chairman to act as executive of the 
commission. The conmiission will have all powers of government 
formerly belonging to the German Empire. Prussia and Bavaria will 
administer the railroads and other public services and have full 



14 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

power to interpret the treaty clauses. The local courts will con- 
tinue, but subject to the commission. Existing German legislation 
will remain the basis of the law, but the commission may make 
modification after consulting a local representative assembly which 
it will organize. It will have the taxing power, but for local pur- 
poses only new taxes must be approved by this assembly. Labor 
legislation will consider the wishes of the local organizations and 
the labor program of the league. French and other labor may be 
freely utilized, the former being free to belong to French unions. 
All rights acquired as to pensions and social insurance will be main- 
tained by Germany and the Saar Commission. There will be no 
military service, but only a local gendarmerie to preserve order. 
The people will preserve their local assemblies, religious liberties, 
schools, and language, but may vote only for local assemblies. They 
will keep their present nationality except so far as individuals may 
change it ; those wishing to leave will have every facility with respect 
to their property. The territory will form part of the French cus- 
toms systems, with no export tax on coal and metallurgical products 
going to Germany nor on German products entering the basin, and 
for five years no import duties on products of the basin going to 
Germany or German products coming into the basin for local con- 
sumption. French money may circulate without restriction. 

After 15 years a plebiscite will be held by communes to ascertain 
the desires of the population as to continuance of the existing 
regime under the league of nations — union with France or union 
with Germany. The right to vote will belong to all inhabitants over 
20 resident therein at the signature. Taking into account the opin- 
ions thus expressed, the league will decide the ultimate sovereignty 
in any portion restored to Germany. The German Government must 
buy out the French mines at appraised valuation if the price is. not 
paid within six months thereafter. This portion passes finally to 
France if Germany buys back the mines. The league Avill determine 
how much of the coal shall be annually sold to France. 

GERMAN-AUSTRIA. 

Germany recognizes the total independence of German-Austria in 
the boundaries traced. 

CZECHOSLOVAKIA. 

Germany recognizes the entire independence of the Czecho- Slovak 
state, including, the autonomous territory of the Ruthenians south 
of the Carpathians, and accepts the frontiers of this State as to be 
determined, which, in the case of the German frontier, shall follow 
the frontier of Bosnia in 1914. The usual stipulations as to acquisi- 
tion and change of nationality follow. 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 15, 

POLAND. 

Germany cedes to Poland the greater part of Upper' Silesia, 
Posen, and the Province of West Prussia on the left bank of the Vis- 
tula. A field boundary commission of seven — five representing the 
allied and associated powers and one each representing Poland and 
German}^ — shall be constituted within 15 days of the peace to delimit 
this boundary. Such special provisions as are necessary to protect 
racial, linguistic, or religious minorities and to protect freedom of 
transit and equitable treatment of commerce of other nations shall 
be laid down in a subsequent treaty between the principal allied and 
associated poAvers and Poland. 

EAST PRUSSIA AND MEMEL. 

The southern and the eastern frontier of East Prvissia, as facing 
Poland, is to be fixed by plebiscites, the first in the Regency of Allen- 
stein between the southern frontier of East Prussia and the northern, 
frontier of Regierungsbesirk AUenstein from where it meets the 
boundary between East and West Prussia to its junction with the 
boundary between the circles of Oletsko and Augursburg, thence the 
northern boundary of Oletsko to its junction with the present frontier 
and the second in the area comprising the circles of Stuhm and 
Rosenburg and the parts of the circles of Marienburg and Marien- 
werder east of the Yistula. 

In each case German troops and authorities will move out within. 
15 days of the peace and the territories be placed under an inter- 
national commission of five members appointed by the principal 
allied and associated powers, with the particular duty of arranging 
for a free, fair, and secret vote. The commission will report the 
results of the plebiscites to the five powers with a recommendation 
for the boundary and will terminate its work as soon as the boundary 
has been laid down and the new authorities set up. 

The principal allied and associated powers will draw up regula- 
tions assuring East Prussia full and equitable access to and use of 
the Vistula. A subsequent convention, of which the terms will be 
fixed by the principal allied and associated powers, will be entered 
into between Poland, Germany, and Danzig, to assure suitable rail- 
road communication, access to German territory on the right bank of 
the Vistula between Poland and Danzig, while Poland shall gTant 
free passage from East Prussia to Germany. 

The northeastern corner of East Prussia, about Memel, is to be 
ceded by Germany to the associated powers, the powers agreeing to 
accept the settlement made, especially as regards the nationality of 
the inhabitants. 



,16 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

DAXZIG. 

Danzig and the district immediately about it is to be constituted 
into the " free city of Danzig " under the guarantee of the league of 
nations. A high commissioner appointed by the league and a resi- 
dent at Danzig shall draw up a constitution in agreement with the 
duly appointed representatives of the city and shall deal in the first 
instance with all differences arising between the city and Poland. 
The actual boundaries of the city shall be delimited by a commission 
appointed within six months from the peace and to include three 
representatives chosen by the allied and associated powers and one 
each by Germany and Poland. 

A convention, the terms of which shall be fixed by the principal 
allied and associated powers, shall be concluded between Poland and 
Danzig, which shall include Danzig within the Polish customs fron- 
tiers, though a free area in the port ; insure to Poland the free use of 
all the city's waterways, docks and other port facilities, the control 
and administration of the Vistula and the whole through railway 
system within the city, and postal telegraphic and telephonic com- 
munication between Poland and Danzig; provide against discrimi- 
nation against Poles within the city and place its foreign relations 
and the diplomatic protection of its citizens abroad in charge of 
Poland. 

DENMARK. 

The frontier between Germany and Denmark will be fixed by the 
self-determination of the population. Ten days from the peace, 
German troops and authorities shall evacuate the region north of the 
line running from the mouth of the Schlei, south of Kappel, 
Schleswig and Friedrichstadt along the Eider to the North Sea 
south of Tonning, the workmen's and soldiers' councils shall be dis- 
solved; and the territory administered by an international commis- 
sion of five, of whom Norway and Sweden shall be invited to name 
two. 

The commission shall insure a free and secret vote in three zones. 
That between the German-Danish frontier and a line running south 
of the island of Alsen, north of Flensburg and south of Tondern 
to the North Sea north of the island of Sylt will vote as a unit within 
three weeks after the evacuation. AVithin five weeks after this vote 
the second zone, whose southern boundary runs from the North Sea 
south of the island of Fehr to the Baltic south of Sygum, will vote by 
communes. Tavo weeks after that vote the third zone, rvmning to the 
limit of evacuation, will also vote by communes. The international 
commission will then draw a new frontier on the basis of these ple- 
biscites and with due regard for geographical and economic condi- 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. ' 17 

tions. Germany will renounce all sovereignty over territories north 
of this line in favor of the associated governments who will hand 
them over to Denmark. 

HELIGOLAND. 

The fortifications, military establishments, and harbors of the 
islands of Heligoland and Dune are to be destroyed under the super- 
vision of the Allies by German labor and at Germany's expense. 
They may not be reconstructed, nor any similar fortiftcations built in 
the future. 

RUSSIA. 

Germany agrees to respect as permanent and inalienable the inde- 
jiendency of all territories which were part of the former Russian 
Empire, to accept the abrogation of the Brest-Litovsk and other 
treaties entered into with the Maximalist government of Russia, to 
recognize the full force of all treaties entered into by the allied and 
associated powers with States which were a part of the former 
Russian Empire and to recognize the frontiers as determined thereon. 
The allied and associated powers formally reserve the right of 
Russia to obtain restitution and reparation of the principles of the 
present treaty. 

SECTION FOUR. 

Extra European Clauses. 

german rights outside europe. 

Outside Europe Germany renounces all rights, titles, and privi- 
leges as to her own or her allies' territories, to all the allied and asso- 
ciated powers, and undertakes to accept whatever measures are taken 
by the principal allied powers in relation thereto. 

COLONIES AND OVERSEAS POSSESSIONS. 

Germany renounces in favor of the allied and associated powers her 
overseas possessions with all rights and titles therein. All movable 
and immovable property belonging to the German Empire or to any 
German State shall pass to the Government exercising authority 
therein. These Governinents may make ^vhatever provisions seem 
suitable for the repatriation of German nationals and as to the con- 
ditions on which German subjects of European origin shall reside, 
hold property, or carry on business. Germany undertakes to pay 
reparation for damage suffered by French nationals in the Cameroons 
or the frontier zone through the acts of German civil and military 
authorities and of individual Germans from January 1, 1900, to 



18 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

August 1, 1914. Germany renounces all rights under the convention 
of Xovember 4, 1911, and September 29, 1912, and undertakes to pay 
France, in accordance with an estimate presented and approved by 
the reparation commission, all deposits, credits, advances, etc., thereby 
secured. Germany undertakes to accept and observe any provisions 
of the allied and associated poAvers as to the trade in arms and spirits 
in Africa, as well as to the general act of Berlin of 1885 and the 
general act of Brussels of 1890. Diplomatic protection to inhabitants 
of former German colonies is to be given by the (lovernment's exist- 
ing authority. 

CHINA. 

Germany renounces in favor of China all privileges and indemni- 
ties resulting from the Boxer protocol of 1901 and all buildings 
Avhatever, barr;;cks for the numitions for warships, wireless plants, 
and other public property except diplomatic or consular establish- 
ments in German concessions Tientsin and Hankow and in other 
Chinese territory except Kiaochow. and agrees to return to China 
a' her own expense all the astronomical instruments seized in 1900 
aiicl 1901. China will, however, take no measures for disposal of 
German property in the legation quarter at Peking without the con- 
sent of the powers signatory to the Boxer protocol. 

Germany accepts the abrogation of the concessions at Hankow 
and Tientsin, China, agreeing to open them to international use. 
Germany renounces all claims against China or any allied and as- 
sociated Government for the internment or repatriation of her citi- 
zens in China and for the seizure or liquidation of German interests 
there since August 14, 1917. She renounces in favor of Great Britain 
her State property in the British concession at Canton and of France 
and China jointly of the property of the German school in French 
concession at Shanghai. 

I* SIAM. 

Germany recognizes that all agreements between herself and Siam, 
including the right of extra territory, ceased July 22, 1917. All 
German public property, except consular and diplomatic premises, 
passes without compensation to Siam, German private property to 
be dealt with in accordance with the economic clauses. Germany 
waives all claims against Siam for the seizure and condemnation of 
her ships, liquidation of her property, or internment of her nationals. 

LIBERIA. 

Germany renounces all rights under the international arrange- 
ments of 1911-12 regarding Liberia, more particularly the right 
to nominate a receiver of the customs, disinterests herself in any 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 19' 

further negotiations for the rehabilitation of Liberia. She regards 
as abrogated all commercial treaties and agreements between herself 
and Liberia and recognizes Liberia's right to determine the status 
and condition of the reestablishment of Germans in Liberia. 

MOROCCO. 

Germany renounces all her rights, titles, and privileges under the 
act of Algeciras and the Franco-German agreements of 1909 and 
1911 and under all treaties and arrangements with the Sherifian 
Empire. She undertakes not to intervene in any negotiations as to 
Morocco between France and other powers, accepts all the conse- 
quences of the French protectorate, and renounces the capitulations. 
The Sherifian Government shall have complete liberty of action in 
regard to German nationals, and all German protected persons shall 
be subject to the common law. All movable and immovable Ger- 
man property, including mining rights, may be sold at ])ublic auction, 
the proceeds to be paid the Sherifian Government and deducted from 
the reparation. Germany is also required to relinquish her interests 
in the State Bank of 'Morocco. All Moroccan goods entering Germany 
shall have the same privilege as French goods. 

EGYPT. 

German}^ recognizes the British protectorate over Egypt, declared 
on December 18, 1914, and renounces as from August 4, 1914, the 
capitulation and all the treaties, agreements, etc., concluded by her 
with Egypt. She undertakes not to intervene in any negotiations 
about Eg3q3t between Great Britain and other powers. There are 
provisions for jurisdiction over German nationals and property 
and for German consent to any changes which ma}^ be made in rela- 
tion to the commission of public debt. Germany consents to the 
transfer to Great Britain of the powers given to the late Sultan of 
Turkey for securing the free navigation of the Suez Canal. Ar- 
rangements for property belonging to German nationals in Egypt 
are made similar to those in the (?) of Morocco and other countries. 
Anglo-Egyptian goods entering Germany shall enjoy the same treat- 
ment as British goods. 

TURKEY AND BULGARIA. 

Germany accepts all arrangements which the allied and associated 
powers make with Turkey and Bulgaria with reference to any right, 
privileges, or interests claimed in those countries by Germany or 
her nationals and not dealt with elsewhere. 



20 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

SHANTUNG. 

Germany cedes to Japan all rights, titles, and privileges, notably 
as to Kiaochow and the railroads, mines, and cables acquired by her 
treaty with China of March 6, 1897. and by other agreements as to 
Shantung. All German rights to the railroad from Tsingtao to 
Tsinaufu. including all facilities and mining rights and rights of 
exploitation, pass equally to Japan, and the cables from Tsingtao 
to Shanghai and Chefoo, the cables free of all charges. All German 
State property, movable and immovable, in Kiaochow is acquired by 
Japan free of all charges. 

SECTION FIVE. 

MILITARY, NAVAL, AND AIR. 

In order to render possible the initiation of a general limitation 
of the armaments of all nations, Germany undertakes directly to 
observe the military, naval, and air clauses, Avhicli follow : 

MILITARY FORCES. 

The demobilization of the German Army must take place within 
two months of the peace. Its strength may not exceed 100,000, in- 
cluding 4,000 officers, with not over seven divisions of infantry and 
three of cavalry, and to be devoted exclusively to maintenance of 
internal order and control of frontiers. Divisions may not be 
grouped under more than two army corps headquarters staffs. The 
great German general staff is abolished. The army administrative 
service, consisting of civilian personnel not included in the number 
of effectives, is reduced to one-tenth the total in the 1913 budget. 
Employees of the German States, such as customs officers, first guards, 
and coast guards, may not exceed the number in 1913. Gendarmes 
and local police may be increased only in accordance with the growth 
of population. Xone of these may be assembled for military training. 

ARMAMENTS. 

All establishments for the manufacturing, preparation, storage, or 
design of arms and munitions of war, except those specifically ex- 
cepted, must be closed within three months of the peace and their 
personnel dismissed. The exact amount of armament and munitions 
allowed Germany is laid down in detail tables, all in excess to be 
surrendered or rendered useless. The manufacture or importation of 
asphyxiating, poisonous, or other gases and analogous liquids is for- 
bidden, as well as the importation of arms, munitions, and war mate- 
rials. Germany may not manufacture such materials for foreign 
Governments. 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 21 

CONSCEIPTIOX. 

Conscription is abolished in Germany. The enlisted personnel 
must be maintained by voluntary enlistments for terms of 12 consecu- 
tive years, the number of discharges before the expiration of that 
term not in any year to exceed 5 per cent of the total effectives. 
Officers remaining in the service must agree to serve to the age of 45 
years, and newly appointed officers must agree to serve actively for 
25 years. 

No military schools, except those absolutely indispensable for the 
units allowed, shall exist in Germany two months after the peace. 
No associations such as societies of discharged soldiers, shooting or 
touring clubs, educational establishments, or universities may occupy 
themselves with military matters. All measures of mobilization are 
forbidden. 

FORTRESSES. 

All fortified works, fortresses, and field works situated in German 
territory within a zone 50 kilometers east of the Rhine will be dis- 
mantled within three months. The construction of any new fortifica- 
tions there is forbidden. The fortified works on the southern and 
eastern frontiers, however, may remain. 

CONTROL. 

Interallied commissions of control will see to the execution of the 
provisions for which a time limit is set, the maximum named being 
three months. They may establish headquarters at the German seat 
of government and go to any part of Germany desired. Germany 
must give them complete facilities, pay their expenses, and also the 
expenses of execution of the treaty, including the labor and material 
necessary in demolition and destruction of surrendered war equip- 
ment. 

ISTAVAL. 

The German Navy must be demobilized within a period of two 
months after the peace. She will be allowed 6 small battleships, 6 
light cruisers, 12 destroyers, 12 torpedo boats, and no submarines, 
either militar^^ or commercial, with a personnel of 15,000 men, 
including officers, and no reserve force of any character. Conscrip- 
tion is abolished, only voluntary service being X3ermitted, with a 
minimum period of 26 years' service for officers and 12 for men. 
No member of the German mercantile marine will be permitted any 
naval training. 

All German vessels of war in foreign ports, and the German high- 
sea fleet interned at Scapa FIoav. will be surrendered, the final dis- 



22 THE TEEATY OF PEACE. 

position of these ships to be decided upon by the allied and associated 
l^owers. Germany must surrender 42 modern destroyers, 50 modern 
torpedo boats, and all submarines, with their salvage vessels ; all war 
vessels under construction, including submarines, must be broken up. 
War vessels not otherwise provided for are to be placed in reserve 
or used for commercial purposes. Replacement of ships except those 
lost can take place only at the end of 20 years for battleships and 15 
3'ears for destroyers. The largest armored ship German}^ will l)e per- 
mitted to withhold will be 10,000 tons. 

Germany is required to sweep up the mines in the Xorth Sea and 
the Baltic Sea as decided upon by the Allies. All German fortifica- 
tions in the Baltic defending the passages through the belts must be 
demolished. Other coast defenses are permitted, but the number and 
caliber of the guns must not be increased. 

During a period of three months after the peace, German high- 
power wireless stations at Xauen. Hanover, and Berlin will not be 
permitted to send any messages except for commercial purposes and 
under supervision of the allied and associated Governments, nor may 
any more be constructed. 

Germany will be allowed to repair German submarine cables 
which have been cut but are not being utilized by the allied powers, 
and also portions of cables which, after having been cut, have been 
removed, or are, at any rate, not being utilized bj'^ any one of the 
allied and associated powers. In such cases the cables, or portions of 
cables, removed or utilized remain the property of allied and asso- 
ciated powers, and accordingly 14 cables or parts of cables are speci- 
fied which will be restored to Germany. 

AIR. 

The armed forces of Germany must not include any military or 
naval air forces except for not over 100 unarmed seaplanes to be 
retained till October 1 to search for submarine mines. No dirigible 
shall be kept. The entire air personnel is to be demobilized within 
two months, except for 1,000 officers and men retained till October. 
No aviation grounds or dirigible sheds are to be allowed within 150 
kilometers of the Rhine or the eastern or southern frontiers, existing 
installation within these limits to be destroyed. The manufacture of 
aircraft and parts of aircraft is forbidden for six months. All mili- 
tary and naval aeronautical matei'ial under a most exhaustive defini- 
tion must be surrendered within three months, except 400 seaplanes 
already specified. 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 23 

SECTION SIX. 

Prisoners of War and Soldiers' Graves. 

PRISONERS or WAR. 

The repatriation of German prisoners and interned civilians is 
to be carried out v^ithout delay and at Germany's expense by a com- 
mission composed of representatives of the Allies and Germany. 
Those under sentence for offenses against discipline are to be repatri- 
ated without regard to the completion of their sentences. Until Ger- 
many has surrendered persons guilty of offenses against the laws 
and customs of war the Allies have the right to retain selected Ger- 
man officers. The Allies may deal at their own discretion Avith Ger- 
man nationals who do not desire to be repatriated, all repatriation 
being conditional on the immediate release of any allied subjects 
still in Germany. Germany is to accord facilities to commissions 
of inquiry in collecting information in regard to missing prisoners 
of war and of imposing penalties on German officials who have con- 
cealed allied nationals. Germany is to restore all property belong- 
ing to allied prisoners. There is to be a reciprocal exchange of in- 
formation as to dead prisoners and their graves. 

GRAVES. 

Both parties will respect and maintain the gTaves of soldiers and 
sailors buried on their territories, agree to recognize and assist any 
commission charged by any allied or associated Government with 
identifying, registering, maintaining, or erecting suitable monuments 
over the graves, and to afford to each other all facilities for the 
repatriation of the remains of their soldiers. 

SECTION SEVEN. 

RESPONSIBILITIES. 

"The allied and associated powers publicly arraign William II 
of HohenzoUern, formerly German Emperor, not for an offense 
against criminal law, but for a supreme offense against international 
morality and the sanctity of treaties." 

The ex-Emperor's surrender is to be requested of Holland, and a 
special tribunal set up, composed of one judge from each of the 
principal great powers, with full guarantees of the right of defense, 
it is to be guided "by the highest motives of international policy 
with a view of vindicating the solemn obligations of international 



24 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

undertakings and the validity of international morality," and will 
fix the punishment it feels should be imposed. 

Persons accused of having committed acts in violation of the laws 
and customs of war are to be tried and punished by military tribunals 
under military law. If the charges affect nationals of only one State, 
they will be tried before a tribunal of that State; if they affect 
nationals of several States, they will be tried before joint tribunals 
of the States concerned. Germany shall hand over to the associated 
Governments either jointly or severally all persons so accused and 
all documents and information necessary to insure full knowledge of 
the incriminating acts, the discovery of the offenders, and the just 
appreciation of the responsibility. The accused will be entitled to 
name his own counsel. 

SECTION EIGHT. 

REPARATION AND RESTITUTION. 

'' The allied and associated Governments affirm, and Germany ac- 
cepts the responsibility of herself and her allies for causing all the 
loss and damage to which the allied and associated Governments and 
their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war im- 
posed upon them by the aggression of Germany and other allies." 
While the allied and associated Governments recognize that th«> 
resources of Germany are not adequate after taking into account 
permanent diminutions of such resources which will result from 
other treaty claims to make complete reparation for all such loss and 
damage, thev require her to make compensation for all damages 
caused to civilians under teven main categories: {a) Damage by per- 
sonal injury to civilians c;uised by acts of war, directly or indirectly, 
including bom"bardmeiits from the air. (h) Damage caused to civil- 
ians, including exposure at sea, resulting from acts of cruelty ordered 
by the enemy, and to civilians in the occupied territories, (c) Dam- 
ages caused by maltreatment of prisoners, (d) Damages to the 
allied peoples represented by pensions and reparation alloAvances, 
capitalized at the signature of this treaty, (e) Damages to property 
other than na^al or military materials. (/) Damage to civilians by 
being forced to labor. {(/) Damages in the form of levies or fines 
imposed by the enemy. 

Germany further binds herself to repay all sums borrowed by 
Belgium from her Allies as a result of Germany's violation of the 
treaty of 1839 up to November 11. 1918, and for this purpose will 
issue at once and hand over to the reparation commission 5 per cent 
gold bonds falling due in 1926. The total obligation of Germany to 
pay, as defined in the category of damages, is to be determined 



• THE TREATY OF PEACE. ' 25 

arid notified to her after a fair hearing and not later than May 1, 
1921, by an interallied reparation commission. At the same time 
a schedule of payments to discharge the obligation within 30 years 
shall be presented. These payments are subject to postponement in 
certain contingencies. Germany irrevocably recognizes the full au- 
thority of this commission, agrees to supply it with all necessary 
information, and to pass legislation to effectuate its findings. She 
further agrees to restore to the Allies cash and certain articles which 
can be ddentified. As an immediate step toward restoration Germany 
shall pay within two years one thousand million pounds sterling in 
either gold, goods, ships, or other specific forms of payment. This 
sum being included in and not additional to first thousand million 
bond issue referred to below, with the understanding that certain 
expenses, such as those of the armies of occupation and payments for 
food and raw materials, may be deducted at the discretion of the 
Allies. " In periodically estimating Germany's capacity to pay, the 
reparation commission shall examine the German system of taxation, 
to the end that the sums for reparation which Germany is required 
to pay shall become a charge upon all her revenues prior to that for 
the services or discharge of any domestic loan, and, secondly, so as to 
satisfy itself that in general the German scheme of taxation is fully 
as heavy proportionately as that of any of the powers represented 
on the commission." " The measures which the allied and associated 
powers shall have the right to take, in case of voluntary default by 
Germany, and which Germany agrees not to regard as acts of war, 
may include economic and financial prohibitions and reprisals, and in 
general such other measures as the respective Governments may 
determine to be necessary in the circumstances." 

The commission shall consist of one representative each of the 
United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Belgium, a repre- 
sentative of Serbia or Japan taking the place of the Belgian repre- 
sentative when the interests of either country are particularly affected, 
with all other allied powers entitled, when their claims are under 
consideration, to the right of representation without voting power. 
It shall permit Germany to give evidence regarding her capacity to 
pay, and shall assure her a just opportunity to be heard. It shall 
make its headquarters at Paris; establish its own procedure and 
personnel; have general control of the whole reparation problem; 
and become the exclusive agency of the allied powers for receiving, 
holding, selling, and distributing reparation payments. Majority 
vote shall prevail except that unanimity is required on questions 
involving the sovereignty of any of the allies, the cancellation of all 
or part of Germany's obligations, the time and manner of selling, 
distributing, and negotiating bonds issued by Germany, any post- 



26 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

ponement between 1921 and 19'2G of annual payments beyond 1930, 
and any postponement after 1926 for a period of more than three 
years, the application of a different method of measuring damage 
than in a similar former case, and the interpretation of provisions. 
WithdraAval from representation on the commission is permitted upon 
12 months' notice. The commission may require Germany to give 
from time to time, by way of guaranty, issues of bonds or other obli- 
gations to cover such claims as are not otherwise satisfied. 

In this connection and on account of the total amount of 'claims, 
bond issues are presently to be required of Germany in acknowledg- 
ment of its debt as follows: One thousand million pounds sterling, 
payable not later than May 1, 1921, without interest; two thousand 
million pounds sterling bearing 2| per cent interest between 1921 
and 1926, and thereafter 5 per cent, with a 1 per cent sinking-fund 
payment beginning in 1926, and an undertaking to deliver bonds 
to an additional amount of two thousand million pounds sterling, 
bearing interest at 5 per cent, under terms to be fixed by the com- 
mission. Interest on Germany's debt will be 5 per cent unless other- 
wise determined by the commission in the future, and payments 
that are not made in gold may " be accepted by the commission in 
the form of properties, commodities, businesses, rights, concessions, 
etc." Certificates of beneficial interest, representing either bonds or 
goods delivered by Germany may be issued by the commission to 
the interested power, as bonds are distributed and pass from the 
control of 'the commission, an amount of Germany's debt equivalent 
to their part value is to be considered as liquidated. 

SHIPPING. 

The German Government recognizes the right of the allies to the 
replacement, ton for ton and class for class, of all merchant ships 
and fishing l^oats lost or dajnaged owing to the war, and agrees to 
cede to the allies all German merchant ships of 1,600 tons gross and 
upward, one-half of her ships between 1,600 and 1,000 tons gross, 
and one-quarter of her steam trawlers and other fishing boats. These 
ships are to be delivered within two months to the reparation com- 
mission, together with documents of title evidencing the transfer of 
the ships from encumbrance. "As an additional part of reparation," 
the German Government further agrees to build merchant ships for 
the account of the allies to the amount of not exceeding 200,000 tons 
gross annually during the next five years. All ships used for inland 
navigation taken by Germany from the allies are to be restored 
within two months, the amount of loss not covered by such restitu- 
tion to be made up by the cession of the German River fleet up to 
20 per cent thereof. 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 27 

DEVASTATED AREAS. 

Germany undertakes to devote her economic resources directly to 
the physical restoration of the invaded areas. The reparation com- 
mission is authorized to require Germany to replace the destroyed 
articles by the delivery of animals, machinery, etc., existing in Ger- 
many, and to manufacture materials required for reconstruction 
purposes with due consideration for Germany's essential domestic 
requirements. 

COAL, ETC. 

Germany is to deliver annually, for 10 years, to France coal equiva- 
lent to the difference between annual prewar output of Nord and 
Pas de Calais mines and annual production during above 10 years. 
Germany further gives options over 10 years for delivery of seven 
million tons coal per year to France, ten in addition to the above of 
eight million tons to Belgium and of an amount rising from four and 
a half million tons in 1919 to 1920 to eight and a half million tons in 
1923 to 1924 to Italy, at prices to be fixed as prescribed in the treaty. 
Coke may be taken in place of coal in ratio of 3 tons to 4. Provision 
is also made for delivery to France over three years of benzol, coal 
tar, and sulphate of ammonia. The commission has powers to post- 
pone or annul the above deliveries should they interfere unduly with 
industrial requirements of Germany. 

DYESTUFFS AND CHEMICAL DRUGS. 

Germany accords option to the commission on dyestuffs and chem- 
ical drugs, including quinine, up to 50 per cent of total stock in Ger- 
many at the time the treaty comes into force, and similar option 
during each six months to end of 1924 up to 25 per cent of previous 
six months' output. 

CABLES. 

Germany renounces all title to specified cables, value of such as 
were privately owned being credited to her against reparation in- 
debtedness. 

SPECIAL PROVISIONS. 

As reparation for the destruction of the Library of Louvain, Ger- 
many is to hand over manuscripts, early printed books, prints, etc., 
to the equivalent of those destroyed. In addition to the above, 
Germany is to hand over to Belgium wings now at Berlin belonging 
to the altar pieces of the Adoration of the Lamb, by Hubert and 
Jan Van Eyck, the center of which is now in the Church of St. Bavo 
at Ghent, and the wings now at Berlin and Munich of the altarpiece 



28 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

of the Last Supper, by Dirk Bouts, the center of which belongs to 
the Church of St. Peter at Louvain. Germany is to restore within 
six months the Koran of the Caliph Othman, formerly at Medina, 
to the King of the Hecljaz, and the skull of the Sultan Okwawa, 
formerly in German East Africa, to His Britannic Majesty's Gov- 
ernment. 

The German Government is also to restore to the French Govern- 
ment certain papers taken by the German authorities in 1870, belong- 
ing then to M, Eeuher, and to restore the French flags taken during 
the war of 1870-1871. 

SECTION NINE. 

FINANCE. 

Powers to which German territory is ceded will assume a certain 
portion of the German prewar debt, the amount to be fixed by the 
rejDaration commission on the basis of the ratio between the revenue 
and of the ceded territory and Germany's total revenues for the three 
years preceding the war. In view, however, of the special circum- 
stances under which Alsace-Lorraine was separated from France in 
1871, when Germany refused to accept any part of the French public 
debt, France will not assume any part of Germany's prewar debt 
there, nor will Poland share in certain German debts incurred for 
the oppression of Poland. If the value of the German public prop- 
erty in ceded territory exceeds the amount of debt assumed, the States 
to which property ceded give credit on reparation for the excess, with 
the exception of Alsace-Lorraine. Mandatory powers will not assume 
any German debts or give any credit for German Government prop- 
erty. Germany renounces all right of representation on, or control 
of. State banks, commissions, or other similar international financial 
and economic organizations. 

Germany is required to pay the total cost of the armies of occupa- 
tion from the date of the armistice as long as they are maintained 
in German territory, this cost to be a first charge on her resources. 
The cost of reparation is the next charge after making such pro- 
visions for payments for imports as the allies ma}' deem necessary. 

Germany is to deliver to the allied and associated powers all sums 
deposited in Germany and Turkey and Austria-Hungary in connec- 
tion with the financial support extended by her to them during the 
war, and to transfer to the allies all claims against Austria-Hungary, 
Bulgaria, or Turkey, in connection with agreements made during the 
war. German}' confirms the renunciation of the treaties of Bucharest 
and Brest-Litovsk. 



THE TEEATY OF PEACE. 29 

On the request of the reparations commission, Germany will ex- 
propriate any rights or interests of her nationals in public utilities 
in ceded territories or those administered by mandatories, and in 
Turkey, China, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria, and transfer 
them to the reparations commission, which will credit her with their 
value. Germany gTiarantees to repay to Brazil the fund arising from 
the sale of Sao Paulo coffee which she refused to allow Brazil to with- 
draw from Germany. 

SECTION TEN. 

Economic Clauses. 

customs for a period of six months. 

Germany shall impose no tariff duties higher than the lowest in 
force in 1914 and for certain agricultural products, wines, vegetable 
oils, artificial silk, and washed or scoured wool this restriction ob- 
tains for two and a half years more ( ? ) for five years unless fur- 
ther extended by the league of nations. Germany must give most- 
favored-nation treatment to the allied and associated powers. She 
shall impose no customs tariff for five years on goods originating in 
Alsace-Lorraine and for three years on goods originating in former 
German territory ceded to Poland, with right of observation of a 
similar exception for Luxemburg. 

SHIPPING. 

Ships of the allied and associated powers shall for five years and 
thereafter under conditions of reciprocity, unless the league of na- 
tions otherwise decides, enjoy the same rights in German ports as 
German vessels and have most-favored nation treatment in fishing, 
coasting trade, and towage, even in territorial waters. Ships of a 
country having no seacoast may be registered at some one place 
within its territory. 

UNFAIR COMPETITION. 

Germany undertakes to give trade of the allied and associated 
powers adequate safeguards against unfair competition, and in par- 
ticular to suppress the use of false wrappings and markings and on 
conditions of reciprocity; to respect the laws and judicial decisions 
of allied and associated States in respect of regional appellations of 
wines and spirits. 



30 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

TREATMENT OF NATIONALS. 

Germany shall impose no exceptional taxes or restrictions upon 
the nationals of allied and associated States for a period of five 
years, and unless the League of Nations acts for an additional five 
years German nationality shall not continue to attach to a person 
who has become a national of an allied or associated State. 

MULTILATERAL CONVENTIONS. 

Some 40 multilateral conventions are renewed between Germany 
and the allied and associated powers, but special conditions are at- 
tached to Germany's readmission to several, as to postal and tele- 
graphic conventions. Germany must not refuse to make reciprocal 
agreements with the new States. She must agree as respects the 
radiotelegraphic convention to provisional rules to be communi- 
cated to her and adheres to the new convention when formulated. 
In the North Sea fisheries and North Sea liquor traffic convention 
rights of inspection and police over associated fishing boats shall be 
exercised for at least five years only by vessels of these powers. As 
to the international railway union, she shall adhere to the new con- 
vention when formulated. China as to the Chinese (Customs tariff 
arrangement, the arrangement of 1905 regarding Whangpoo and the 
Boxer indemnity of 1901 ; France, Portugal, and Eoumania as to 
The Hague Convention of 1903, relating to civil procedure; and 
Great Britain and the United States as to article 3 of the Samoan 
treaty of 1899, are relieved of all obligations toward Germany. 

BILATERAL TREATIES. 

Each allied and associated State may renew any treaty with Ger- 
many in so far as consistent Avith the peace treaty by giving notice 
within six months. Treaties entered into by Germany since August 
1, 1914, with other enemy States and before or since that date with 
Eoumania, Eussia, and governments representing parts of Eussia are 
abrogated and any concession granted under pressure by Eussia to 
German subjects annuled. The allied and associated States are to 
enjoy most favored nations treatment under treaties entered into 
by Germany and other enemy States before August 1, 1914, and 
under treaties entered into by Germany and neutral States during 
the war. 

PRE-AVAR DEBTS. 

A system of clearing houses is to be created within three months, 
one in Germany and one in each allied and associated State which 
adopts the plan for the payment of pre-war debts, including those 
arising from contracts suspended by the war, for the adjustment of 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 31 

the proceeds of the liquidation of enemy property and the settle- 
ment of other obligations. Each participating State assumes re- 
sponsibility for the payment of all debts owing by its nationals to 
nationals of the enemy States except in cases of pre-war insolvency 
of the debtor. The proceeds of the sale of private enemy property 
in each participating State may be used to pay the debts owed to the 
nationals of that State direct payment from debtor to creditor and 
all communications relating thereto being prohibited. Disputes may 
be settled by arbitration by the courts of the debtor country or by 
the mixed arbitral tribunal. Any ally or associated power may, how- 
ever, decline to participate in this system by giving Germany siy 
months' notice. . 

ENEMY PROPERTY. 

Germany shall restore or pay all private enemy property seized or 
damaged by her, the amount of damages to be fixed by the mixed 
arbitral tribunal. The allied and associated States may liquidate Ger- 
man private property within their territories as compensation for 
property of their nationals not restored or paid for by Germany 
for debts owed to their nationals by German nationals and for other 
claims against Germany. Germany is to compensate its nationals 
for such losses and to deliver within six months all documents re- 
lating to property held by its nationals in allied and associated 
States. All war legislation as to enemy property rights and inter- 
ests is confirmed and all claims by Germany against the allied or 
associated Governments for acts under exceptional war measures 
abandoned. 

CONTRACTS. 

Prewar contracts between allied and associated nationals excepting 
the United States, Japan, and Brazil and German nationals are can- 
celed except for debts for accounts already performed, agreements 
for the transfer for property where the joroperty had already passed, 
leases of land and houses, contracts of mortgages, pledges, or liens, 
mining concessions, contracts with Governments and insurance con- 
tracts. Mixed arbitral tribunals shall be established of three mem- 
bers, one chosen by German^-, one by the associated States, and the 
third by agreement, or failing which, by the President of Switzer- 
land. They shall have jurisdiction over all disputes as to contracts 
concluded before the present peace treaty. 

Fire insurance contracts are not considered dissolved by the war 
even if premiums have not been paid but lapse at the date of the 
first annual premium falling due three months after the peace. Life 
insurance contracts may be restored by payments of accumulated 
premiums with interest sums falling due on such contracts during 
the war to be recoverable with interest. Marine insurance contracts 



32 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

are dissolved by the outbreak of war except where the risk insurad 
against had ah^ead}^ been incurred. Where the risk had not attached 
preminms paid are recoverable, otherwise premiums due and sums 
due on losses are recoverable. Reinsurance treaties are abrogated 
unless invasion has made it impossible for the reinsured to find an- 
other reinsurer. Any allied or associated power, however, may can- 
cel all the contracts running between its nations and a German lif& 
insurance compan}^, the latter being obligated to hand over the 
proportion of its assets attributable to such policies. 

Industrial property rights as to industrial, literary, and artistic 
property are reestablished, the special war measures of the allied 
and associated powers are ratified, and the right reserved to impose 
conditions on the use of German patents and copyrights when in the 
public interest. Except as between the United States and Germany 
prewar licenses and rights to sue for infringements committed dur- 
ing the war are canceled. 

OPIUM. 

The contracting powers agree, ^yhether or not they have signed 
and ratified the opium convention of January 23, 1912, or signed the 
special protocol opened at The Hague in accordance with resolu- 
tions adopted by the Third Opium Conference in 1914, to bring the 
said convention into force by enacting within 12 months of the peace 
the necessary legislation. 

EELIGIOUS MISSIONS. 

The allied and associated powers agree that the properties of 
religious missions in territories belonging or ceded to them shall 
continue in their work under the control of the powers, Germany 
renouncing all claims in their behalf. 

SECTION ELEVEN. 

AERIAL NAVIGATION. 

Aircraft of the allied and associated powers shall have full liberty 
of passage and landing over and in German territory, equal treat- 
ment with German planes as to use of German airdromes, and with 
most-favored-nation planes as to internal commercial trajffic in Ger- 
many. Germany agrees to accept allied certificates of nationality, 
airworthiness or competency or licenses, and to apply the convention 
relative to aerial navigation concluded between the allied and asso- 
ciated powers to her own aircraft over her own territory. These 
rules apply until 1923, unless Germany has since been admitted to the 
league of nations or to the above convention. 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 33 

SECTION TWELVE. 

Ports, Canals and Railways. 

FREEDOM or TRANSIT. 

Germany must grant freedom of transit through her territories 
by rail or water to persons, goods, ships, carriages, and mails from 
or to any of the allied or associated powers without customs or 
transit duties, undue delays, restrictions, or discriminations based 
on nationality, means of transport, or place of entry or departure. 
Goods in transit shall be assured all possible speed of journey, espe- 
cially perishable goods. Germany may not divert traffic from its 
normal course in favor of her own transport routes or maintain 
^' control stations " in connection with transmigration traffic. She 
may not establish any taxes discriminating against the ports of 
allied or associated powers ; must grant the latters' seaports all 
factors and reduced tariffs granted her own or other nationals, and 
atford the allied and associated powers equal right with those of her 
own nationals in her ports and waterways, save that she is free to 
open or close her maritime coasting trade. 

FREE ZONES IN PORTS. 

Free zones existing in German ports on August 1, 1914, must be 
maintained with due facilities as to warehouses, packing, and with- 
out discrimination, and without charges except for expenses of ad- 
ministration and use. Goods leaving the free zones for consump- 
tion in Germany and goods brought into the free zones from Ger- 
many shall be subject to the ordinary import and export taxes. 

INTERNATIONAL RIVERS. 

The Elbe, from the junction of the Vltava, the Vltava from 
Prague, the Oder from Oppa, the Niemen from Grodno, and the 
Danube from Ulm are declared international, together with their 
connections. The riparian States must insure good conditions of 
navigation within their territories unless a special organization 
exists therefor. Otherwise appeal may be had to a special tribunal 
of the league of nations, which also may arrange for a general in- 
ternational waterways convention. 

The Elbe and the Oder are to be placed under international com- 
missions, to meet within three months, that for the Elbe composed 
of four representatives of Germany, two from Czechoslovakia and 
one each from Great Britain, France, Italy, and Belgium ; and that 
for the Oder composed of one each from Poland, Eussia. Czechoslo- 
vakia, Great Britain, France, Denmark, and Sweden. If any 
riparian State on the Niewen should request of the league of nations. 



34 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

a similar commission shall be established there. These commissions- 
shall upon request of any riparian State meet within three months- 
to revise existing international agreement. 

THE DANUBE. 

The European Danube Commission reassumes its prewar powers, 
but for the time being with representatives of only Great Britain, 
France, Italy, and Eoumania. The Upper Danube is to be adminis- 
tered by a new international commission until a definitive statute be 
drawn up at a conference of the powers nominated by the allied and 
associated Governments within one year after the peace. The enemy 
Governments shall make full reparations for all war damages caused 
to the European Commission ; shall cede their river facilities in sur- 
rendered territory, and give Czechoslovakia, Serbia, and Roumania 
any rights necessary on their shores for carrying out improvements 
in navigation. 

THE RHINE AND THE MOSELLE. 

The Ehine is placed under tlie central commission to meet at 
Strasburg within six months after the peace, and to be composed 
of four representatives of France, which shall in addition select the 
president; four of Germany and two each of Great Britain. Italy, 
Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Germany must give 
France on the course of the Rhine included between the two extreme 
points of her frontiers all rights to take water to feed canals, Avhile 
herself agreeing not to make canals on the right bank opposite 
France. She must also hand over to France all her drafts and de- 
signs for this part of the river. 

Belgium is to be permitted to build a deep draft Rhine-Meu.se 
canal if she so desires within 25 years, in which case Germany must 
construct the part within her territory on plans drawn by Belgium : 
similarly the interested allied Governments may construct a Rhint- 
Meuse canal, both, if constructed, to come under the competent inter- 
national commission; Germany may not object if the central Rhine 
commission desires to extend its jurisdiction over the lower Moselle, 
the upper Rhine, or lateral canals. 

Germany must cede to the allied and associated Governments cer- 
tain tugs, vessels, and facilities for navigation on all these rivers, 
the specific details to be established by an arbiter named b}' the 
United States. Decision will be based on the legitimate needs of the 
parties concerned, and on the shipping traffic during the five years 
before the war. The value will be included in the regular reparation 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 35 

account. In the case of the Rhine shares in the German navigation 
companies and property, such as wharves and warehouses, hekl by 
Germany in Rotterdam at the outbreak of war must be handed over. 

RAILWAYS. 

Germany in addition to most favored nation treatment on her rail- 
wnjs agrees to cooperate in the establishment of through ticket serv- 
ices for passengers and baggage ; to insure communication by rail be- 
tween the allied, associated, and other States; to allow the construc- 
tion or improvement within 25 years of such lines as necessary ; and 
to conform her rolling stock to enable its incorporation in trains of 
the allied or associated pofwers. She also agrees to accept the de- 
nunciation of the St. Gothard convention if Switzerland and Italy so 
request, and temporarily to execute instructions to the transport of 
troops and supplies and the establishment of postal and telegraphic 
service, as provided. 

CZECHOSLOVAKIA. 

To assure Czechoslovakia access to the sea, special rights are 
given her both north and south. Toward the Adriatic she is per- 
mitted to run her -own through train to Fiume and Trieste. To the 
north Germany is to lease her for 99 years spaces in Hamburg and 
Stettin, the details to be worked out by a commission of three rep- 
resenting Czechoslovakia, Germany, and Great Britain. 

THE KIEL CANAL. 

The Kiel Canal is to remain free and open to war and merchant 
ships of all nations at peace with Germany ; subjects, goods, and ships 
of all States are to be treated on terms of absolute equality, and no 
taxes to be imposed beyond those necessary for upkeep and improve- 
ments, for which Germany is to be responsible. In case of viola- 
tion of or disagreement as to those provisions any State may appeal 
to the league of nations and may demand the appointment of an 
international commission. For preliminary hearing of complaints 
Germany shall establish a local authoritj^ at Kiel. 

SECTION THIRTEEN. 

INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION. 

Members of the league of nations agree to establish a permanent 
organization to promote international adjustment of labor condi- 
tions, to consist of an annual international labor conference and an 
international labor office. TIkj former is composed of four rep- 



•36 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

reseiitatives of each State, two from the Government, and one each 
from the employers and the employed ; each of them may vote indi- 
vidually. It will be a deliberative legislative body, its measures tak- 
ing the form of draft conventions or recommendations for legisla- 
tion, which, if passed by two- thirds vote, must be submitted to the 
lawmaking authority in every State participating. Each Govern- 
ment may either enact the terms into law, approve the principle but 
modify them to local needs, leave the actual legislation in case of a 
Federal State to local legislation, or reject the convention altogether 
without further obligation. 

The international labor office is established at the seat of the league 
of nations as part of its organization. It is to collect and distribute 
information on labor throughout the world and prepare agenda for 
the conference. It will publish a periodical in French and English 
and possibly other languages. Each State agrees to make to it, for 
presentation to the conference, an annual report of measures taken 
to execute accepted conventions; the governing body is its executive. 
It consists of 24 members, 12 representing the governments, 6 the 
employers, and 6 the employees, to serve for three years. 

On complaint that any Government has failed to carry out a con- 
vention to which it is a party, the governing body lAay make inquiries 
directly to that Government, and in case the reply is unsatisfactory 
may publish the complaint with comment. A complaint by one Gov- 
ernment against another may be referred by the governing body to a 
commission of inquiry nominated by the secretary general of the 
league. If the commission report fails to bring satisfactory action, 
the matter may be taken to a permanent court of international justice 
for final decision. The chief reliance for securing enforcement of the 
law will be publicity, with a possibility of economic action in the 
background. 

The first meeting of the conference will take place in October, 1919, 
at Washington, to discuss the 8-hour day, or 48-hour week; preven- 
tion of unemployment ; extension and application of the international 
conventions adopted at Berne in 1906 prohibiting night work for 
women and the use of white phosphorus in the manufacture of 
matches ; and employment of women and children at night or in un- 
healthy work, of women before and after childbirth, including ma- 
ternity benefit, and of children as regards minimum age. 

LABOR CLAUSES. 

Nine principles of labor conditions were recognized on the ground 
that "the well-being, physical and moral (welfare), of the industrial 
wage earners is of supreme international importance.'' With excep- 
tions necessitated by differences of climate, habits, and economic 



THE TREATY OF PEACE. 3T 

development, they include the guiding principle that labor should 
not be regarded merely as a commodity or article of commerce ; right 
of association of employers and employees ; a wage adequate to main- 
tain a reasonable standard of life; the 8-hour day or 48-hour week; 
a weekly rest of at least 24 hours, which should include Sunday 
wherever practicable ; abolition of child labor, and assurance of the 
continuation of the education and proper physical development of 
children; equal pay for equal work as between men and women; 
equitable treatment of all workers lawfully resident therein, includ- 
ing foreigners; and a system of inspection, in which women should, 
take part. 

SECTION FOUKTEEN. 

Guaranties. 

western europe. 

As a guaranty for the execution of the treaty, German territory to 
the west of the Rhine, together with the bridgeheads, will be occupied 
by allied and associated troops for 15 years. If the conditions are 
faithfully carried out by Germany, certain districts, including the 
bridgehead of Cologne, will be evacuated at the expiration of five 
years; certain other districts, including the bridgehead of Coblenz 
and the territories nearest the Belgian frontier, will be evacuated after 
10 years, and the remainder, including the bridgehead of Mainz, will 
be evacuated after 15 years. In case the interallied reparation com- 
mission finds that Germany has failed to observe the whole or part 
of her obligations, either during the occupation or after the 15 years 
have expired, the whole or part of the areas specified will be reoccu- 
pied immediately. If before the expiration of the 15 years Germany 
complies with all the treaty undertakings, the occupying forces will 
be withdrawn immediately. 

EASTERN EUROPE. 

All German troops at present in territories to the east of the new 
frontier shall return as soon as the allied and associated Governments 
deem wise. They are to abstain from all requisitions and are in no 
way to interfere with measures for national defense taken by the 
Government concerned. 

All questions regarding occupation not provided for by the treaty^ 
will be regulated by a subsequent convention or conventions, whick 
will have similar force and effect. 



38 THE TREATY OF PEACE. 

SECTION FIFTEEN. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Germany agrees to recognize the full validity of the treaties of 
peace and additional conventions to be concluded by the allied and 
associated powers with the powers allied with German}^, to agree 
to the decisions to be taken as to the territories of Austria-Hungary. 
Bulgaria, and Turkey, and to recognize the new States in the fron- 
tiers to be fixed for them. 

Germany agrees not to put forward any pecuniary claims against 
any allied or associated poAver signing the present treaty based on 
events previous to the coming into force of the treaty. 

Germany accepts all decrees as to German ships and goods made by 
any allied or associated prize court. The allies reserve the right to 
examine all decisions of German prize courts. The present treaty, 
of which the French and British texts are both authentic, shall be 
ratified and the depositions of ratifications made in Paris as soon as 
possible. The treaty is to become effective in all respects for each 
power on the date of deposition of its ratification. 

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